THE ALTERED ALICE BLOG CHALLENGE - CHAPTER 18: Now you see him...Now you don't !

Welcome back to my blog!

I am excited to make another post about one of my
favourite blogs...The Altered Alice Blog.
This quirky, fun, original, whimsical and sometimes wacky
blog features all things Alice In Wonderland.

Each month The Altered Alice Blog has a challenge.
This month we readers were invited to create a card
where things appear and disappear.

Here is the link for the challenge:  http://alteredalice.blogspot.ca/2012/08/week-1-chapter-18-now-you-see-him-now.html


I CREATED A CARD WITH A SURPRISE THAT CAN ONLY BE
REVEALED WHEN THE CARD IS OPENED.
I THINK IT IS PERFECT FOR A "MISSING YOU" CARD OR
A "WELCOME HOME" CARD.

 

ALICE, THE RABBIT AND THE MAD HATTER
ARE PATIENTLY AWAITING

A SPECIAL GUEST
FOR THEIR TEA PARTY....

CLICK ON CARD TO SEE A LARGER VERSION

FRONT OF THE CARD 

 

WELL..THEY WAITED,  AND THEY WAITED,  
AND THEN
THEY WAITED SOME MORE.

FINALLY... JUST BEFORE ALL THE TEA HAS
BEEN DRUNK AND ALL

THE LOVELY TEA CAKES HAVE BEEN EATEN...

THEIR SPECIAL GUEST ARRIVES!

                                         

 

TO REVEAL THE SPECIAL GUEST...I HAD TO OPEN THE CARD...

 

 

THEIR SPECIAL GUEST IS NONE OTHER THAN...

THE CHESHIRE CAT!

CLICK ON THE CARD TO SEE A LARGER VERSION

CARD WHEN IT IS OPEN

 

MATERIALS

 Paper:  Graphic 45 - Halloween in Wonderland

                                         

                                         Ink:  I used Tim Holtz distress ink in

                                         Tea Dye on the edges and the inside of the card

 

 

 

 I HOPE YOU ENJOYED SEEING MY SPECIAL CARD WHERE THINGS

APPEAR AND DISAPPEAR.

 

THANK YOU FOR VISITING AND PLEASE

FEEL FREE TO LEAVE A COMMENT.

 

 

 

    KAREN

AUTHENTIQUE PAPER JULY INSPIRATION COLOR CHALLENGE

HELLO AGAIN EVERYONE!

Every month AUTHENTIQUE PAPER has challenges on their blog.

THERE ARE STILL A FEW DAYS TO ENTER THE
AUTHENTIQUE PAPER JULY INSPIRATION COLOR CHALLENGE.

HERE IS THE LINK :  http://blog.authentiquepaper.com/2012/07/july-inspiration-color-challenge.html.

THE COLORS WE HAD TO USE WERE KIWI, PINK LEMONADE, RASPBERRY
AND CHOCOLATE.

I TOOK MY INSPIRATION FROM THE QUILT IN THE STORY BOARD AND

CREATED A CARD THAT LOOKS LIKE AN OLD-FASHIONED QUILT.

FRONT OF THE CARD

CLOSE-UP OF SENTIMENTS ON FRONT OF CARD

BACK OF THE CARD

LOOK! ! ! ...WHEN  THE CARD IS LAID OUT FLAT

 IT IS AN OLD-FASHIONED QUILT

 (A PAPER ONE THAT IS!)

MATERIALS FOR THIS PROJECT

MY BASE CARD IS MISC. WHITE PAPER - 10 INCHES X 10 INCHES.

ALL OTHER PAPER WAS FROM AUTHENTIQUE PAPER.

 I CUT OUT FOUR STRIPS OF 2.5 X 5 INCHES FOR EACH SIDE OF THE CARD

SO THAT ALL FOUR COLORS ARE BOLDLY REPRESENTED. THEN I ADDED

CONTRASTING MINI BLOCKS TO THE TOP AND BOTTOM OF THE STRIPS.

KIWI :  DELIGHTFUL COLLECTION

PINK LEMONADE: FREE BIRD - BLUSH AND DELIGHT

RASPBERRY: (FLOWERED PAPER) FREE BIRD - BLUSH AND DELIGHT

CHOCOLATE:   FREE BIRD - ENDLESS AND FAIRWEATHER

SENTIMENTS :  RUB-ONS  STAMPIN UP

CHIPBOARD STICKER:  MISC.

LACE: MISC.

FINISHING TOUCHES:   I INKED THE EDGES OF THE CARD WITH DISTRESS INK

(TIM HOLTZ) IN BRUSHED CORDUROY

THANK YOU FOR VISITING MY BLOG.

I WOULD LOVE IT IF YOU WOULD LEAVE A COMMENT.

KAREN

INSPIRATION FROM AUTHENTIQUE PAPER'S JULY COLOR CHALLENGE

AUTHENTIQUE PAPER - MAY SKETCH CHALLENGE

MAY 30, 2012

Every month AUTHENTIQUE PAPER has a sketch challenge.
They provide a sketch and the challenge is to make a card or layout using the sketch.

Here is the link for the challenge : 
 http://blog.authentiquepaper.com/2012/05/may-sketch-challenge.html

I am very impressed with the high quality of the paper products from
Authentique Paper.  Most of the paper products are double-sided and textured and are made with very heavy cardstock. 

I like to buy the 6X6 inch paper pads for use in creating cards.
Authentique Paper's Free Bird Series  6X6 paper pads are made from 80 pound cardstock.  The paper has patterns on both sides and it is textured.  This is the perfect material for making professional-looking cards and I used it to create a card for this challenge.

BEST WISHES

FRONT OF CARD

BACK OF CARD

Materials used:  Authentique Paper Free Bird Series

(6X6 paper pad) Poised and Warmth.

The edges of the card were inked with Tim Holtz

distress ink - Brushed Corduroy.

Miscellaneous:  Sentiments (rub-ons) and brown flower lace.

Thank you very much for visiting my blog.

I appreciate receiving comments.

Karen

THE ALTERED ALICE BLOG - CHAPTER 14 CHALLENGE - SPLENDIDLY DRESSED

HAPPY APRIL TO YOU!  
TIME SEEMS TO JUST...WELL...FLY LATELY.
Outside, on my front lawn, in the rock garden, things are really starting to bloom.  Crocuses are sprouting up in all their splendour.

The Altered Alice blog has a challenge that fits right into the theme of splendour. 
The blog's theme is all things Alice in Wonderland and this month's challenge is called... SPLENDIDLY DRESSED.
The blog is fun and quirky and lovely and yes..splendid.
HERE IS THE LINK TO THE BLOG AND THE CHALLENGE:
http://alteredalice.blogspot.ca/2012/04/week-1-chapter-14-challenge-splendidly.html

Here is my entry for the challenge:

THE PERFECT HAT FOR ALICE

One day, Alice looked in the mirror and sighed.  It was a sigh so long and loud that the butterflies came to investigate. 

"Always the same", said Alice, sighing once again.

"What is the matter?", asked the blue and purple and pink dotted butterfly. 

"I always look the same", Alice said sadly.

The butterfly looked at her, fluttered her wings,

and excitedly cried  "Come with me my dear child, and

we will soon fix that!"

Off Alice went, following the butterfly as it flit here

and there.  In time, they came to a shop

owned by Goldilocks.

Here is what happened next...

original artwork Karen C. Goulet copyright 2012

Alice tried on hats until she found the one that did not

make her look "the same" anymore.

It was "just right".  In fact, it was "PERFECT". 

Alice skipped off with her new butterfly friend to show off

her new hat.  No more sighs for her.

I used my original artwork to create this piece.

The sketch of Alice was made using  Faber-Castell Pit Artist pens.

These are pigmented India ink

pens that have various nib sizes (fine medium and brush). 
I made the hats and the flower using paper from Tim Holtz's Paper Stashes
Lost and Found and Vintage Shabby. The background paper was from a
Tim Holtz Paper Stash called Retro Grunge.

I hope you enjoyed visiting my  blog.

and that you will return again very soon.

I would love it if you would leave a comment.

(see comment bar at bottom of this blog)

Thank you!

Karen

AUTHENTIQUE PAPER - MARCH SKETCH CHALLENGE - CARD #2 OF 2

EVERY MONTH AUTHENTIQUE PAPER has a sketch challenge.
Here is the link for the sketch challenge for March.

http://blog.authentiquepaper.com/2012/03/march-sketch-challenge.html

You must make a separate project for each entry in the challenge.

I decided to make TWO CARDS FOR THIS CHALLENGE.
THIS IS THE SECOND CARD THAT I CREATED. 

CARD # 2 OF 2

The paper was mounted on a  5 1/2  x 4  inch blank white card.

FRONT OF THE CARD

 I used the sketch to create the design of the card.

All of the paper on the card is from Authentique Paper's  Free Bird Series
(front - Delight, back - Comfort)
in a 6X6 inch pad format.

As a mixed media artist, I like to purchase the 6 X6 inch pads for cardmaking purposes.

Some 6X6 pads from different companies are packaged as single-sided smooth cardstock.

However, The Authentique 6 X 6 inch pad from the Free Bird series has the

same high quality, heavy cardstock and the paper is double-sided and textured just like

the 12 X 12 inch paper in the same series.

It makes my cards look and feel professional.

Embellishments on the front:   miscellaneous lace, Tim Holtz tissue tape - Symphony,

misc. stamp on misc. piece of doily paper and bling.

BACK OF CARD

I like to back my cards with a coordinating paper.

I feel that it makes the card look richer and more "finished'.

I inked the edges and back of the card with Tim Holtz distress ink in Victorian Velvet colour.

I hope you enjoyed visiting my blog.

Please feel free to leave a comment.
Thank you!

Karen

AUTHENTIQUE PAPER MARCH SKETCH CHALLENGE -CARD #1 OF 2

EVERY MONTH AUTHENTIQUE PAPER  has a sketch challenge.
Here is the link for the sketch challenge for March.

http://blog.authentiquepaper.com/2012/03/march-sketch-challenge.html

You must make a separate project for each entry into the challenge.
I decided to make TWO CARDS FOR THIS CHALLENGE.  

CARD # 1 OF 2

The paper was mounted on a  5 1/2  X  4   inch blank white card.

FRONT OF THE CARD

I used the sketch to create the design of the card.

All of the paper on the card is from Authentique Paper's Free Bird Series (Delight)
 in a 6X6 inch pad format.

I added some miscellaneous bling and ribbon from my stash to
make the design true to the sketch.

As a mixed media artist, I like to purchase the 6 X6 inch  pads for cardmaking purposes.

Some 6X6 pads from different companies are packaged as single-sided smooth cardstock.

However, The Authentique 6 X 6 inch pad from the Free Bird series has the

same high quality, heavy cardstock and the paper is double-sided and textured just like

the  12 X 12 inch paper in the same series. 

It makes my cards look and feel professional. 

. 

BACK OF CARD

I like to back my cards with a coordinating paper.

I feel that it makes the card look richer and more "finished'.

I inked the edges of the card with Tim Holtz distress ink in Tattered Rose colour.

Thank you for your visit to my blog!

I enjoy receiving comments.

Karen

 

THE ALTERED ALICE BLOG - CHAPTER 13 CHALLENGE: BEST BUTTER

HAPPY SPRING EVERYONE!

It has been mighty warm here this week and this is very unusual for this
time of year.


So...the strange sunny days fit right in with the lovely and quirky 
THE ALTERED ALICE BLOG.
This is a blog inspired by all things from the novel Alice in Wonderland. 


THE ALTERED ALICE BLOG - CHAPTER 13 CHALLENGE:  BEST BUTTER.

HERE IS THE LINK TO THE BLOG AND THE CHALLENGE:
http://alteredalice.blogspot.ca/2012/03/week-1-chapter-13-challenge-best-butter.html

I CREATED A 9x7 INCH CANVAS FOR THIS CHALLENGE.
THIS IS NOT KANSAS ALICE !

I MADE A SKETCH OF MY VERSION OF ALICE, using a fine lead artist pencil.

I made her larger than the canvas to create dimension.

Then, I coloured in the sketch with Faber-Castell Pit Artist pens. 

These are pigmented india ink

pens that have various nib sizes (fine medium and brush).  The ruby shoe was  coloured with red oil pastel and then embellished with red glitter.

original artwork Karen C. Goulet  copyright 2012

The Alice figure, Wonderland sign and words are mounted on dry medium paper

that has been shaded with yellow oil pastel (like butter!).

I then assembled the canvas, using a yellow paper (like butter!) from

Authentique Paper's  Foundations series

as a background. 

The top and bottom of the canvas was inked with a Faded Jeans distress ink from

the Tim Holtz collection.  The stamp is from Inkadinkado.

The leopard ribbon is a miscellaneous piece from my stash.

I hope you enjoyed your visit to my blog.

and that you will return again very soon.

Thank you!

Karen

AUTHENTIQUE PAPER FEBRUARY SKETCH CHALLENGE - CARD 3 OF 3

Hi there everyone!
Welcome back to my blog.

Authentique Paper rocks! 

Authentique Paper has a sketch challenge for February and I
created 3 special cards for it. 
Here is the link:  http://blog.authentiquepaper.com/2012/02/february-sketch-challenge.html

Here is the final card of the set for this challenge - Card #3 of 3.

front of the card

This is an all-occasion card.

 

I used paper from Authentique's 6X6 Paper Bundle Journey to make all the paper elements for this card.
I love the vintage feel of the design.

Inking the edges of the paper with Tim Holtz distress ink in Faded Denim is a nice accent for the card.

I added some miscellaneous lace from my stash to complement the paper. 

The  flower embellishment was made using a paper punch.  The edges of the petals were inked with the Faded Denim distress ink.

The sentiment is a sticker from Bo Bunny.

back of the card

 

The polka dots on this paper are gorgeous.

Again, I inked the edges of the paper with Tim Holtz distress ink but I used Chipped Sapphire  this time.

Thank you for stopping by.

I would love to have your comments.

Karen

AUTHENTIQUE PAPER FEBRUARY SKETCH CHALLENGE - CARD 2 OF 3

Hello again everyone!

I just want to say...I LOVE AUTHENTIQUE PAPER!

Authentique Paper has a challenge on their blog.  You can look at the challenge and the rules by clicking on the following link: http://blog.authentiquepaper.com/2012/02/february-sketch-challenge.html

I created a set of 3 cards for the challenge.

Here is finished Card  #2 of  3.

front of the card

This is a beautiful "pretty in pink" card.

The only paper used on this card is from Authentique Paper.

I love the quality of the paper and the wonderful designs.

Their 6X6 bundles are perfect for card-making and scrapbooking alike.  The price points are also delightful.

For the base I used a fuchsia paper from the Delight Collection.

The embellishment strips were cut from paper in the

6X6 Bundle Collection:  Splendid.

The sentiment "Love" is a miscellaneous  rub-on that has been applied to a square of Authentique Paper (6X6Bundle Collection: Splendid).

I inked the edges of the paper with Tim Holtz distress ink in Worn Lipstick.

I used some miscellaneous fuchsia ribbon and crystals from my stash to add a few more feminine touches to the creation.

back of the card

I wanted the back of the card to be just as bold and pretty as the front of the card so I used more of the paper that appears on the front of the card.

I love the way the paper looks like vintage wallpaper.

Thank you for looking at my blog.

Do you like the card?

Please leave a comment to let me know what you think.

Karen  

AUTHENTIQUE PAPER - FEBRUARY SKETCH CHALLENGE - CARD 1 OF 3

Greetings to all!

I ADORE AUTHENTIQUE PAPER!

I made 3 special cards for the Authentique Paper Challenge.
Here is the link:  http://blog.authentiquepaper.com/2012/02/february-sketch-challenge.html

This is Card #1 of 3. 


I added tiny butterflies  (made from Authentique Paper) to the card to give it some dimension.
I added ribbon to further embellish the card and to follow the structure given in the sketch.

This is the front of the card.

This card makes me smile. It has a nice vintage feel.

For the front of the card I used the following Authentique Paper:  base and embellishment strips :6X6 Bundle Collection -   Blissful

sentiment "adore" :  6X6 Bundle Collection - Splendid

I inked the edges of the base paper and the embellishment strips

and the paper on the back of the card with Tim Holtz Distress Ink in Wild Honey.

Some Maya Road ribbon made the finishing touch.

Here is a picture of the back of the card:

back of the card:  Authentique Paper: 

6X6 Bundle Collection: Blissful.

Thank you for visiting my blog!

I welcome comments.

Karen

SIMON SAYS STAMP AND SHOW CHALLENGE - ANYTHING GOES

Simon Says Stamp and Show has a challenge every week.
The challenge for this week was Anything Goes.
Here is the link:  http://simonsaysstampandshow.blogspot.com/2012/02/simon-says-stamp-and-show-anything-goes.html

I created a special Valentine Art Piece. 

"Darling Be Mine"

I added an easel stand to the back of it so it can be displayed anywhere.

To create the base for this creation, I covered a 6X6 inch piece of black chipboard with pink paper from Crate Paper.

Then, I created the puffy heart as the focal point for the piece. I used small pieces of Authentique Paper (Free Bird Collections : Blush, Warmth and Delight) to form a collage on top of a tattered heart made from white paper. The collage was then sealed with Golden gel medium.

I inked the edges of the heart with Worn Lipstick distress ink from the Tim Holtz collection

Here is the finished art piece:   "Darling Be Mine"
 

I wanted the piece to have a vintage feel to it so I used a lot of vintage-style embellishments when I created it.

The embellishments were from various sources.

wooden number and heart - Maya Road

chipboard darling, bee and key - Prima 

old fashioned valentine card  - 7 Gypsies

fuchsia ribbon:  Donna Downey for Prima

chipboard letters - Fancy Pants

Eiffel Tower - EK Success

misc. items from my stash:  pearl flower, ribbon, buttons, crown, clothespin and ticket

Thank you for visiting my blog.

I appreciate receiving comments.

Karen   

.

AUTHENTIQUE PAPER SKETCH CHALLENGE - CARD 2 OF 2

AUTHENTIQUE PAPER IS FABULOUS!

Each month Authentique Paper has a Sketch Challenge.

To enter the challenge you must either make a card or a layout using

the sketches that they provide.  I love the fact that I have a chance to win a prize just by using their lovely paper. 

Authentique paper collections are versatile in that they can

be mixed and matched.  This makes it easier to use all of

your paper for meaningful projects, instead of using your bits

and pieces to "fill in" your layout or card.

Here is the link for the challenge: http://blog.authentiquepaper.com/2012/01/january-sketch-challenge.html

My second card for this challenge is made from paper in their

Free Bird Collection Series One.

This is a special card and a personal note combined to make a nice little addition to someone's mailbox.

The flowered top half of the card was created using Poised paper.  The bottom half of the card is a lovely green

Delight paper.

A mini tag in the envelope can be written on to add

a personal note to the card.

The sentiment  was created with a glue pen and black glitter.  

A misc. button and some ribbon from my stash

were the finishing touches.

Thank you for joining me at my blog.

Comments are welcomed.

Karen

AUTHENTIQUE PAPER SKETCH CHALLENGE - CARD 1 OF 2

I LOVE AUTHENTIQUE PAPER!

Each month Authentique Paper has a Sketch Challenge.
To enter the challenge you must either make a card or a layout using
the sketches that they provide.  Of course,  you must also use
their paper as part of your project.  I have no problem whatsoever in
using their gorgeous products!

I find that their paper is thick enough that I can use a sheet
of their card stock as a base for a card, and it holds its shape and
stands up.  This eliminates having to use a blank card as backing.

Here is the link for the challenge:  http://blog.authentiquepaper.com/2012/01/january-sketch-challenge.html

My first card for this challenge is made from paper in their
Free Bird Collection. 
I used Blush for the base and Familiar for the embellishments.

The paisley from the Familiar paper adds a little zing to the card
and helps to highlight the sentiment "hi".
The chipboard sentiment, the acrylic stars and the lace are
miscellaneous items from my stash.

I hope you will add some Authentique Paper to your stash.
It is well worth it! 

Look for Card 2 of 2 in my next post.

Thank you for visiting my blog.
Comments are always appreciated.

Karen

SIMON SAYS STAMP AND SHOW...SOME ELEMENTS OF TIME

Happy December everyone!
The Countdown to Christmas has begun!

I love advent calendars.  However, somehow, when the time comes to make such
a calendar, it is past December 1 before I realize that I have not even
started to gather the materials I need.  
So...when Simon Says Stamp presented the challenge for this week, I decided
that I would make an advent calendar for the final countdown before Christmas.
My advent calendar starts the countdown on December 21.

This is my entry for the Simon Says Stamp and Show Some Elements of Time Challenge.
http://simonsaysstampandshow.blogspot.com/2011/12/simon-says-stamp-and-show-some-elements.html.

Just last week, I picked up this lovely little wooden shadow box.  I did not know exactly what I would do with it, but I just knew that I had to have it.  When this challenge came along, it fit the bill to a "t".

The top of the box shows the title of my project...

Christmas Final Countdown.

Here is a full view of my project entitled

 "Christmas Final Countdown".

The shadow box has a glass door on it.  I opened the door so that you can see all

of the lovely little "bits and bobs"  (I love that expression!) that are inside the box.

To start the project, I lined the inside of each compartment with misc. paper from my stash.  Then I trimmed each compartment with some tissue tape from Tim Holtz's collection.  I glued a wooden bingo number (Maya Road)  to the back of each compartment for each day in the countdown.

Here is a picture of one compartment shown before any figurines have been added. The blue felt trim is from a Martha Stewart collection of ribbons. 

 

The very first compartment  (DEC) holds a plush dog figure  that was taken from a key chain and has been recycled for this project.  "December" has been represented by

a wooden stamp.    The "Rejoice" embellishment was taken from the packaging for a Bo Bunny Christmas card kit.

The second compartment  (21) is the same one shown above but with snow figurines added to it.  All of the snow  figures and the mini Christmas tree are being recycled here.  They were originally part of a lighted mini display .The lace at the top of the box is from a Maya Road collection. 

The third compartment  (22) holds another recycled snow figure.  The crystals on the right side of the box are from a Martha Stewart collection, and the "Merry Christmas embellishment is from the Bo Bunny packaging as in the compartment containing the plush dog.  The metal snowflake is a brad buddy from a Hot Off The Press collection. 

The fourth compartment (23) holds a miniature teddy bear.  The teddy bear has been embellished with a wool yarn scarf and hat and some holly.    The heart embellishment is from the Bo bunny Christmas card packaging as mentioned above.

The fifth compartment (24) contained a recycled snow figure.  The polka dot trim is from  a Martha Stewart collection.  The background paper (misc. from my stash) has cardinals on it and so I decided that the snow figure needed his own birdhouse to attract some bird friends.  The mini birdhouse that I used (bottom right of compartment) was part of a mini straw wreath (which is now broken) and the birdhouse was just too adorable to throw out.  I am glad it found a new home in this compartment.

The sixth and final compartment (25) holds an old-fashioned miniature Christmas tree. I used a mini fastener from a Tim Holtz collection to attach a dangling bead ornament to the top of the compartment. Some misc. ribbon and a wooden bingo number from Maya Road are the finishing touches for my Advent Calendar.

Here is a final picture for you to enjoy.  It is a view of the shadow box when it is closed.  It has been decorated with holly and ribbon from a Martha Stewart collection.

  The stocking that is attached to the bottom right-hand corner is a misc. piece from my stash.

Unfortunately, I could not find the mini chocolates that were to go in each compartment. (Did somebody eat them?)  Oh well, I still have a some time to replace them before my

Christmas Final Countdown begins.

I hope you enjoyed having a little sneak peak at my

Christmas Final Countdown advent calendar.

I enjoy receiving your comments and I sincerely thank you for visiting my blog.

Karen